Floobydust

OK, so maybe this is a dumb question, but I have the opportunity to upgrade to an ML550. A few months ago I bought a 350 but I have regretted not waiting for the 550. So I asked the dealer about an upgrade and they are willing to give me within a few dollars what I paid for it on trade for a 550. In the end I would be into it about the amount as if I had bought a 550 in the first place (plus some extra local taxes and registration fees). The equipment levels are almost exactly the same except I would be trading Parktronic f(which I didn't want, but came with the car) for Keyless Go (which I wouldn't mind). The 550 engine seems like it would be fantastic and really change the character of the car. So, the questions is, in the words of Dirty Harry, is it worth it?

Any thoughts appreciated (550 owners in particular).

Thanks,

- FD

blazinginder

Seems like a good deal if you really want the extra 120 (give or take) horses. How much under MSRP are they selling the 550 for ?

Floobydust

They're close to MSRP. I'm not sure if that is what 550's are going for or if they are building some depreciation compensation into the deal. The 550's seem to be less common and in demand so a lower discount off of MSRP doesn't seem all that out of the question. Maybe I'm wrong with that assumption, I'm not sure.

blazinginder

That's true though I've heard of some people getting discounts, one of 4k on a 550 comes to mind.

I'm looking into a 350 and am currently getting just about $6100 off MSRP

srknutson

In my part of the world $2,500 to $3,000 of MSRP seems typical.

SEXYBEEST

i would do it, i hear there is 4k cash back to dealers right now

srknutson

I looked on Edmunds and there are no deals for the 550. Only a lease price for the 350. MB uses cash to dealer only for year end, or change of model in my experience.

vinceching

why do you even have to ask? its a great deal. if i was in your shoes i'd do it in a heartbeat.

Floobydust

Thanks everyone. One more question and this is alone the lines of a previous post on "noises". I drove the ML 550 again today and do any of you 550 owners notice drive train whine, especially at low speeds? I get the same noise on my ML350, but much less so. Is this typical? Those kind of noises drive me nuts, so that could be a big negative.

Any input much appreciated.

Thanks,

- FD

vinceching

its just the engine whine, normal. i hear it all the time in my ml500 at low speeds.

alewifebp

I do hear that, and it is annoying. The whine is only noticeable while coasting around 40 - 60 MPH.

firefighter608

I can't hear anything except the radio--- old n deaf

Floobydust

I bought the 550 today!



- FD

firefighter608

CONGRATULATIONS and have a great time, from what I have read here you will not be disappointed and you'll have fun

blazinginder

congrats...share some pics and details on color etc

AR.Shah

Congrats!! Pics please! Why didnt you like the parktronic? I feel its a must when doing a parallel parking, especially since you cannot see the front of other cars parked behind you through the rear window, unless if you have the camera installed?

Floobydust

Thanks everyone! I take delivery this weekend. I will post pics/details after I pick it up.

As for parktronic, I have a hitch mounted bike rack and when it is on the car, it drives the parktronic nuts. It beeps all the time and so I always have to manually turn it off. Keyless go will be a good trade for me.

- FD

nantucketsleigh

[QUOTE=Floobydust;2466653]Thanks everyone! I take delivery this weekend. I will post pics/details after I pick it up.

As for parktronic, I have a hitch mounted bike rack and when it is on the car, it drives the parktronic nuts. It beeps all the time and so I always have to manually turn it off. Keyless go will be a good trade for me.

- FD[/QUOTe
If your 550 has ADSII I would be most interested in how it feels vs. the 350. I have test driven ML's without ADSII and have been disappointed in the ride and handling. I bought my wife a GL because of its substantially better ride. I would still like to buy an ML but have been unable to test or ride in one with ADSII.

Floobydust

Here are some pictures of the new 550. It has a whopping 450 miles on it now, but I can already tell you that the difference between the new 550 and my old 350 is like the difference between night and day. The smile on my face every time I get in and light up that wonderful V8 (with keyless go, of course) is so wide it nearly breaks the side window! Upgrading to the ML550 was worth everything it took.

Thanks again everyone for your comments.

- FD

blazinginder

Looks amazing...love the AMG kit...enjoy

red00lght

Gorgeous!!! Love the black/tan combo! How does the power feel of the 550? I have a 500, and I'm debating if it would be worth upgrading to the 550 in a few years. (I do love hp btw!) I was a bit torn between a 350 vs a 500 over the mpg since I put on a lot of miles, but I'm only seeing a 3-4 mpg difference between a 350 I drove for a month, and my current 500. Worth it!

Again, nice choice!!

Floobydust

I drove the 500 when I was looking at the 350 and decided that the differences were not enough to justify the difference in price, handling, and MPG at the time. The 550 on the other hand, is truly compelling. The perfectly tuned V8 burble that turns into a symphony of nearly endless power and torque, perfectly matched to the new 7G transmission makes the car a seamless extension of every neuron in your head, hands, and feet, allowing the combined entity to slice through traffic and gobble up the road at will. Yeah, I'd say it's worth considering when the time comes.

- FD

red00lght

Flooby....you should write articles for motor trend!! That sounds like a statement you would read in one of their comparison articles!

Papaya

My wife's 550 is awesome so far. I haven't stepped into it quite yet as I want to break it in nice and easy. I'm surprised it has nearly 400 HP!!

Floobydust

That wouldn't be half bad - you would get to drive all the latest automotive hardware and then wax prolific about it. Sounds like fun to me. Now, where's my thesaurus . . . .